Its not a State matter anymore!!

Bihar's Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar is being criticised by all and sundry for his ineffective handling of the policemen abduction by Maoist. The abduction of 4 policemen against the demand of releasing the arrested Maoists, has already resulted in killing of one.

Agreed that Nitish Kumar, known as the efficient administrator has failed to manage the crisis. But can't the criticism meted out to him by his rivals wait until the policemen are rescued? Time and again politicians have showed how little respect they have for a national security crisis. No one can forget the image of L.K. Advani and Narendra Modi criticising the establishment at the time when Taj hostage crisis was on. This time is no different. LJP, RJD, Congress can't wait to jump on the bandwagon and fire salvos at Nitish Kumar. Why can't our political hold their horses until the crisis has been dealth with? Is it because if it is resolved successfully they will not have much to point a finger on?

Congress government at the centre says that their full support is with the Bihar state government and they are providing full assistance. Did they just provide assistance when Taj was held hostage by terrorists? When you say assistance, you draw the line yourself. A terrorist organisation abducting a symbol of India's soverignity cannot be treated on case to case basis. Kandahar hijacking, 26/11, Maoist kidnapping policmen, have to be treated on the same platform. I would have expected the Centre to take matters in their hands, take it as a national crisis, send NSG, army, whatever it takes and give a clear message to the Maoists. That they cannot be treated different than other terrorists. For once, I want the Indian goverment to say, it is not a State matter, it is a national concern and we will take things in our hands.

Happy Independence Day!!

It's that time of the year when every Indian, all over the world, stops to think about his/her nation. It makes you crib or praise or go emotional over your country, but it does extract a response from you. We will see a lot of that today, in newspapers, blogs, facebook, twitter and everywhere in the air. Many will talk about the beautiful diversity and culture, democratic society, economic prosperity where as few will point out to the Maoist struggle, the muddle surrounding Commonwealth Games, the Kashmir turmoil, inflation, the sorry state of affairs of farmers and so on. Both valid and both demonstrating that even if your disdain list may be longer, some where you know it is because of that sense of belonging. The sense of belonging that unites the poor farmer of Peepli and an investment banker in New York.

I don't have a crib list today as it is almost a daily activity. I represent the majority of Indians who can go on and on about the sorry state of affairs but don't have the courage to get out of their cosy lives and change things. Patriotism is something we have read about in our history classes, not something we have experienced. Sorry guys but rooting for India in a cricket match or getting agitated when one cribs about India do not count as patriotism. The true madness of the word is only understood by those who fought for Independence and for those who guard our country borders. Today, I am just trying to understand the genesis of one of the biggest problems facing our nation, corruption.

Were Indians always corrupt? What is it that gave birth to this baby which has now become a giant threatening to engulf our country? I am no expert, but I have a feeling it all started in 70s when mindless restrictions where put in place to promote socialism (which sounded more like capitalism for politicians). Because all it did was encourage corruption, establish a net of smugglers and made all politicians and bureaucrats rich and fat. It is no wonder that the era of liberalization has almost ended the smugglers' empire that was so deeply entrenched in the 70s and 80s. Another reason could be that because of the numerous restrictions, the only way one could get rich was making his hand dirty.

Ever noticed the difference between underworld stories of 70s and 90s? Stories of 70s represented the Don as the messiah of poor. The guy who fought the rulers to provide for the poor. Take the case of characters played by Amitabh Bachachan in Deewar (and numerous other movies, he almost made a career out of such anti hero roles), Vinod Khanna in Dayavaan and very recently, Ajay Devagan in Once upon a time in Mumbai which is set in 70s. They were depicted as Dons with heart of gold, helping the poor and fighting the administration. And take the example of recent gangster movies like Satya, Company, though they demonstrate the humane side of someone from underworld, they don’t glorify their intentions nor represent them as gold hearted lions.

So while we enjoy the dividends of the decisions taken by our leaders pre 1947, we also pay the price of their decisions post 1947. 50 years down the line, our children could write a similar blog and talk about how little we did and how much more we could have done in giving India independence from corruption. We have the right tools. An independent judiciary (with all its pros and cons), a Right to Information Act, a free media, an empowering democracy, economic prosperity. Now, it depends on us what we want our future generation to write about us when India celebrates the century of this historic day.

Brouhaha over Burkha ban

I have never visited any of the Islamic nations but have read enough to understand that many of them require women to dress in a defined manner and the punishment for not obeying those rules are quite severe. When women from different nations visit these states, they obey the rules and dress appropriately. So when a Muslim women in Belgium is required not to cover her face, isn’t it the same case in reversal. If the world respects the rationale behind dress code adopted by Islamic nations, then shouldn’t Muslims visiting/residing in other countries respect the rules of that country too?

The whole debate of Belgium banning burkhas is so out of context. Why take it to the levels of religious freedom when it is only about security measures. The ban is not about wearing burkhas, it’s more of a ban on hiding your face. The hardliners and the liberals have both given it a wrong dimension. Both are treating it as an issue of religious freedom and complicating the issue, a manipluation that every leader resorts to, to establish his/her leadership.

If one finds security measures in USA draconian, there is a simple solution. Don’t visit USA. I heard a podcast where Fareed Zakaria (Newsweek chief editor) interviews Shah Rukh Khan on his controversial security check at the US airport. SRK’s reply summed it all. He said that I respect the laws of the country I am visiting but it’s in my hands wether I visit that country. So now when I have to go holidaying, I prefer taking my kids to Europe. Banning burkhas is in the hands of Belgium government but visiting Belgium is in your hands.

How Naxals and Mayawati teach us to respect human kind

We (urban India like me) often wonder the kind of support that Mayawati enjoys in Uttar Pradesh. We often deride the way she or for that matter any politician manipulates the caste system in India. Dalits, the backward community to which Mayawati belongs has for long suffered at the hands of upper class sections of the society. It is not un-natural that see her as a symbol of the upliftment of their community. That Gandhi and Ambedkar did the same thing in a much modest and humble way is another topic of debate. But all I am saying here is seeing the kind of oppression that Dalits have faced in India for ages; it's not surprising to see that they support the kind of aggression and unabashed immodesty that she displays.

But things are changing and hopefully with time, the caste effect on nation's politics will die down. The recent news about, a Bihar court sentencing 16 people held guilty for a carnage Jehanabad in 1997, where 58 Dalits were killed by Ranbir Sena, a landlord gang of sorts, brings forward 2 things. One that, 50 years post the independence, a Jehanabad still happens in world's largest democracy. And this is not an isolated case. We are routine to cases of Dalits being attacked for entering a temple, drinking water from a common village well, marrying some one from upper caste, and so on. But the second and more significant is that finally justice is being delivered, such cases are coming into limelight and the guilty are being punished.

Slowly but surely, the rural landscape of India is changing, not only geographically and economically but also socially. Thanks to an active media, such cases are no longer brushed under the carpet by officials. The current Naxal problems of India and the appreciation showered by Mayawati's supporters to her aggression, should teach us a thing or two, about treating all human kind with respect and dignity. Because if we don’t, when it's their turn to rule you, they will surely give it back. And then we may find it too hot to handle.

Who is responsible for Dr Siras' death?

It's sad, shocking and the people responsible for it deserve a harsh punishment so that others learn the outcome of playing with someone's private life. I am talking about the alleged suicide of professor Dr Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, the Aligarh Muslim University professor who was suspended from the University, after being filmed having consensual sex with a rickshaw-puller at his home in the University Campus. He was found dead in his apartment and police suspects suicide.

Though he was reinstated back in University after he appealed in court against his suspension, surely the scars never healed. How humiliating it must be for the man, to be subjected to that kind of mental cruelty? Indian being a democracy, any citizen is free to practise whatever he wants as long as it is not a criminal activity. Ones sexual preference is their private matter and all those who made public his private moments should be held guilty of breaking an important law of India's Constitution.

As a society, when will we learn to look at the skeletons in our cupboard and stop accusing anyone who dares to go against the general social norms?Those who filmed the Professor need to be punished severely for not respecting an individual's privacy and then should be the ones hiding their faces with society shunning them. If this was a suicide, all of us who made fun of the poor man when he was caught in camera need to hang our heads in shame for driving a human being to this.

My Heart goes garland garland

My heart goes garland garland reading the news about Mayawati's new controversy. And the garland isn't of roses or green notes but of cactus. It isn't because Mayawati was gifted a garland made of notes worth Rs. 1 crore, Rs 15 lakh or Rs 18 lakh (depends on which version you believe.) It is also not because she proudly (or immodestly and shamelessly) displays it to the world as a symbol of her power. It is also not because such servitude of Indian politicians towards party leaders makes me sick in stomach.

It's because she calls herself the representative of Dalits and is the Chief Minister of one of the poorest and backwards states of India which has a high crime rate. So while the people of her state struggle with poverty she doesn't seem it as inappropriate to display her newly found power and wealth. Its also because people on the streets in UP celebrates this act of hers. They think that what she is doing is correct and others are raising finger because she is a Dalit. It's because beneath the cover of an opressed caste you are successful in manipluating an entire population. Its because I can't fathom when will the caste system in India be laid to rest. It's also because Maywati's says that gifting a garland made of money is entirely legal. She forgets that people are talking about morality not legality.

And finally its because I have to grudgingly admit that people get the government they deserve and that we deserve such leaders.

Obama meets Dalai Lama - Whats's the Indian role

Obama hosted Dalai Lama at White House which drew an angry reaction from China. No one expected anything else. Most suspect this as an American ploy to instigate China as Washington becomes more insecure of China's rising power. USA and China both have their reasons for their respective reactions. But is the Indian media too harsh a critic of China's policies in Tibet?

Some one made a very interesting point to me, a few days back. Isn't Kashmir is to India what Tibet is to China. People of Tibet don't want to be part of China, even though China is on its way to become a superpower. We Indians always wonder why the people of Kashmir want to go to Pakistan when they are better off economically in India. Indian government does not tell them to forget their culture or religion. Yet why are they so hell bent on Pakistan? Isn't the China case similar? Chinese too feel that Tibetans are better off being a part of China, free to follow their culture ( Though this point can be debated as there are counter views on this), be a part of the great economic revolution, then why are they pinning for a different state. And if they say they want independence, then same is the case of Kashmir. One can argue that Tibet revolution doesn't involve the level of terrorism that India faces from Kashmir militants. ( Though I dont have any information on the nature of protest of Tibetans.)

I am not supporting the analogy or arguing against it, simply because I don't think I am capable enough to comment on it. But it is indeed an interesting analogy that makes you think twice and dig deeper into the history.

The Chief Ministers of India turning a new leaf

It was really heart warming to read about Bihar being one of the most progressive states in India. Some would argue that its because its on a low base compared to other states. But for a state that's languishing in dark for all these years, an applause for the progress is well deserved. All credit should go to its Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who has done a remarkable job. He is also championing the cause of cleansing Ganga which is a long overdue action that should have been taken long before by the state governments. Also, instead of haggling with the union agricultural minister Sharad Pawar, he has agreed to waive off the VAT on sugar in the state. All examples of a good statesman and administrator. The ex-chief minister of Bihar, Lalu Prasad Yadav, may have garnered accolades for his performance as a turnaround Railway Minister, but he is also infamous for keeping Bihar as an impoverished state during his term as the CM there. Obviously he can't digest the success of Nitish Kumar and continues to pick holes in his governance. But statistics speak for themselves and looks like Bihar is all set for progress under its current CM's stewardship.

Another state whose CM makes more headlines than its progress is Uttar Pradesh. The news making CM of UP, Mayawati seems to have turned over a new leaf these days. Not only has she come forward for supporting the cause of hockey players in India but also has decided to do away with her lavish birthday celebrations which earned a lot of brickbats in the past. This year, for her 54th birthday, Mayawati has announced schemes worth over 7,000 crore rupees to help the poorest in Uttar Pradesh. Either oher PR officer has advised her on this or she is really working for the state welfare. Whatever be the intention, but the action is definitely a step ahead in positive direction.

And if we are discussing about Chief Ministers of India, one name that we can't ignore is Gujarat's Minister, Narendra Modi. You may hate him or praise him, but you can't ignore him. I am not a big fan of his because of his 2002 Gujarat antics but I can't help marvel at this success in making Gujarat one of the most progressive states in India. One doesn't hear about as many SEZ conflicts in Gujarat as in other states. He does his best to bring investment in the state, not to forget how he got Tata to set up their Nano plant in Gujarat. Now he has moved a mile forward after announcing mandatory elections in Gujarat. The big blot in his Chief Minister's career seems to be fading away owing to his governance skills. Yet, he will continue to be treated as a suspect for a long time and rightly so.

Makers of 'preaching-to-be-good' movies may not learn the lesson themselves

One would think that the makers of 'preaching-to-be-good' movies like 'Munnabhai' and '3 idiots' would be practicing some goodness on themselves too. But seeing the current '3 idiots' war between the makers and Chetan Bhagat, the writer of the book, 'Five Point Someone', clearly shows that they haven't learnt a lot from their movies except to make money.

Firstly to say that the movie is based 2-5% on the book is laughable. Clearly the basic story, the underlying principle, the twists, the plots have a lot in common with the book. Anyone who has read the book will vouch for that. Obviously the screenplay will be different as its a movie adaptation and also because you want to Aamir to be the main protagonist and him to romance the heroine, but the story is the same.

Secondly, its a little preposterous for Aamir Khan to call Chetan Bhagat publicity hungry even without bothering to read the book. Aamir probably doesn't read the books that general young Indian reads. Thats why he doesn't know the popularity of Chetan Bhagat and why he doesn't require publicity. I and many people I know did not go to watch the movie because its a movie made by the makers of Munnabhai. We wanted to watch it because we had loved the book. Yet, to say that people throng theaters to watch Aamir Khan movie makes sense but I am sure the number of people who were aware that the movie was based on the hit novel is more than the number of people who were aware that this movie is made by the 'Munnabhai' makers.

And what I don't understand is that why are the makers being so squeamish in sharing the story credit with Chetan. Chetan Bhagat, is a renowned name in the Indian publishing industry. He is to Indian publishing what Aamir is to Bollywood, a sure shot bumper opening. He is not asking for money, being a creative person he is justifiably upset at the amount of effort the makers are taking to keep the movie distant from the book.

Looks like a money minded producer will not understand the mind of a creative person. He needs to watch Munnabhai series once again.